PNG crisis: O'Neill sends in police to take over government offices

Peter O'Neill has ordered police to take control of Papua New Guinea's government offices where his rival Sir Michael Somare is holed up claiming to be the alternative prime minister.

Mr O'Neill told a press conference that 70 extra police officers are already in the capital with up to 200 more on their way to deal with the political crisis that has reached its third day.

PNG woke this morning with two men claiming to be prime minister, two governors-general, two cabinets and two police chiefs.

The two main camps have been duelling for legitimacy since Monday when the Supreme Court ruled Sir Michael was to be restored as prime minister, replacing Mr O'Neill.

Since then the country has been gripped in a political impasse as both sides refused to back down.

When the Herald asked whether this latest move by Mr O'Neill was a potential flashpoint for violence if Sir Michael refused to leave, he said: "Of course police have to do their job.

"There is a properly constituted police force in the country by the act of Parliament and police is required to do their duties," he said.

Mr O'Neill said his government revoked a late-night order by Sir Michael that reinstated his police commissioner Fred Yakasa.

"Anyone who has broken the law will face the full brunt of the law," he said.

Mr O'Neill, surrounded by the 74 MPs supporting his government, said Sir Michael should test his legitimacy on the floor of Parliament.

"There are elements in Port Moresby police who have sided with court ordered group [Sir Michael] and we've had to bring in additional policing personnel from ouside Port Moresby to restore possession of government assets so the public service can continue to function," he said.

Mr O'Neill said the Somare led group had taken control of the government printer, Government House and two other government buildings close to Parliament.

"These are the houses that police forcibly moved personnel into. We don't do that in this country," he said.

"It's up to the illegal police force that is going around thinking they are properly constituted. The only place people get power is on the floor of Parliament," he said.

"The police commissioner [Tom Kalunga] is now taking control of the government assets. We must allow rule of law to prevail in this country. We can not allow rogue police officers to run around the country. I call on the policemen supporting this thuggery and command in the city to refrain from that," he said.

He said he was not ordering the arrest of Sir Michael or his ministers.

"I have no authority ... to issue arrest warrants," he said.

"[Sir Michael and his supporters] are totally within their rights ... to express their views.

"But the police have got to do their duty."

There is a contingent of police officers loyal to Sir Michael in Port Moresby, but the majority of police have been at pains to remain neutral.

The nation's military has also remained neutral and largely silent.

On Monday night police loyal to Sir Michael surrounded the Government House and would not allow Mr O'Neill to see the Governor-General Michael Ogio.

Some gunfire was heard but no one was injured.

The following day Mr O'Neill and his supporters had to break through a police barricade when trying to see the Governor-General.

The few police loyal to Sir Michael have remained in position at key government venues such as Morauta Haus and Vulipindi Haus but there has been no violence.

Sir Michael had been expected to give a press conference this morning but it was put off until later in the afternoon without explanation.